HIF 64

Cloud-Flowing Valley

It was a mountain entirely covered in green. The sound of freshly sprouted leaves swaying in the wind rustled through the lush summer trees.

A faint, white mist-like substance lay thinly across the ground. The cool scent of water permeated the air.

I quietly stared at the blue window trembling unstably before my eyes. The flickering Status Window soon began to crumble slowly from the edges. And above it, black letters shimmered into view.

With that sentence, the Status Window vanished in an instant. Right, last time too, such a short sentence had passed by. What could this mean?

“Get up.”

I quietly repeated it, but there was no response. Naturally, nothing happened.

“Huh, Seon Yi-han. What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

“Nothing.”

I shook my head lightly. I needed to think about this a bit more too. Brushing away the letters that seemed to linger like an afterimage before my eyes, I continued walking.

Since the outer area seemed fine, we were told to move toward the center of the valley. The deeper we went, the thicker and denser the mist covering the ground became.

‘Why do they call this clouds?’

Wouldn’t ‘mist’ be more accurate? Though it did feel a bit denser and heavier than regular mist. Maybe that’s the reason.

Lost in such thoughts, I soon found myself buried up to just below the knees in the mist. Now, I really couldn’t see the ground at all…

“Ah.”

My foot caught on something.

Beside me, Song Ha-gyun quickly extended his arm, firmly supporting my stomach. My body lurched forward as if about to topple, but I barely managed to steady myself. Thankfully, I didn’t end up rolling on the dirt ground.

“Thank you, Ha-gyun hyung.”

“…Walk carefully.”

Even though saying ‘walk carefully’ wouldn’t solve the problem of not seeing the ground well, I nodded anyway.

Song Ha-gyun looked at my face quietly, and perhaps thinking I wasn’t very reliable, he moved closer to my side, holding onto my arm as if grasping it, and walked. For some reason, it felt a bit warmer.

Not long after, Park Yul, who was walking ahead, stretched his arm out to the side, blocking the way.

“Stop. This is far enough.”

“…It’s serious.”

“Indeed. It seems the situation has progressed quite a bit already.”

As Raen waved his hand, a strong wind blew around us. The white mist covering the ground scattered and flew away, revealing the surroundings clearly.

It was a valley. Large, rugged stones, holding the sun’s warmth on their surfaces, lined the edges in a long row.

Inside, where water should have flowed, was filled entirely with black mist. It even seemed viscous. The swaying, undulating mist looked exactly like stagnant, murky water.

Amidst the overall sunny scenery, that place alone felt distinctly separate and alien. Park Yul, who hadn’t taken his eyes off it, spoke in a cautious voice.

“I think we need to get closer. I’ll need support.”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“If the monster is in this state, it’s hard to predict how it might attack. We need to check at least once.”

“I’ll assist from the side, Leader hyung.”

Raen approached Park Yul’s side. Min Joo-hyuk took a step back, extending his hand toward Park Yul and Raen. A faintly shimmering barrier flickered briefly around them before disappearing.

“First, we need to see how much Defense magic is needed to block the monster. We have to use Mana efficiently.”

“Yes. I’ll adjust the Defense magic based on the situation.”

“Good. And until we figure out its attack pattern, Raen, don’t move.”

“Got it. But if it seems dangerous, I’ll intervene.”

“No, stay still for now. And…”

As I watched everyone making plans one by one, my arm was gently tugged. Turning my head, Song Ha-gyun, who had been holding my arm, lightly pulled it toward himself and met my gaze.

“…Hold on.”

“Huh?”

“We’re going to move back now.”

A notebook and pen floated up right in front of Song Ha-gyun. Holding the notebook with one hand and bringing the pen to it with the other, he calmly continued.

“…I’ll use Levitation magic. Hold on.”

Ah, Song Ha-gyun can’t hold me. But where should I hold onto him?

Even though it was summer, Song Ha-gyun was still wearing a white long-sleeved shirt. He had undone about three buttons at the collar and rolled up his sleeves. His firm forearm from wrist to elbow was fully exposed.

Touching bare skin might feel a bit warm, but there was no other way. When I reached out and placed my hand,

‘Gasp.’

I involuntarily flinched and quickly pulled my hand away.

It was firm. And too hot. It felt like skin heated by the midsummer sun. Or maybe it was just my perception. Anyway, I could feel solid muscle.

I felt dazed. I had known since he effortlessly carried me before, but touching it directly made it feel real now. Song Ha-gyun is supposed to be on the research side, so why is his body this good?

‘Ah, not the time for this.’

Song Ha-gyun’s gaze, staring intently down at me, felt piercing. There was no time to hesitate like this. But touching his bare skin directly felt somewhat embarrassing. I lightly grabbed the shirt at Song Ha-gyun’s waist.

“You’re going to hold on like that?”

“Is it not okay?”

“…Yeah.”

As Song Ha-gyun placed his hand on my back and applied light pressure, I found myself wrapping my arms around his waist as if clinging to him.

I was mistaken. It wasn’t just touching bare skin that was embarrassing. Song Ha-gyun’s waist was just as firm as his forearm. Whether it was because I wasn’t used to physical contact with people, my face felt a bit flushed.

“Let’s go.”

As the quiet voice reached my ears, warm air faintly enveloped the surroundings, and I felt the sensation of slowly rising. Cutting off other thoughts, I focused on the situation below. I could see everyone standing down there.

‘It’s scary.’

It wasn’t the height that was scary. But right below, the pitch-black mist seethed as if ready to devour. The darkness, where not an inch ahead was visible, gave no sense of depth. With a tense heart, I tightened my grip on the arm around my waist.

“…You.”

It was a low, resonant voice. I quickly looked up. Song Ha-gyun’s face, looking down at me, was shadowed, making it hard to discern his expression. My reflection faintly appeared in his monocle like a mirror.

Song Ha-gyun was silent for a moment, then let out a short breath like a small sigh and slowly continued.

“…Yeah. It’s okay.”

Suddenly, a cool breeze swept through my hair amidst the warm air. A faint scent of grass seemed to linger briefly.

As my trembling body calmed slightly and I unconsciously loosened my grip a little, Song Ha-gyun turned his head again. Following his gaze, I looked down.

‘That sword.’

It seemed everyone had finished discussing strategy. Park Yul, holding a long, sharp sword straight, cautiously stepped toward the valley. The red gem embedded in the sword was clearly visible even from here.

Beside me, the rough sound of a pen tip scratching paper busily echoed. It felt exactly like the sound of a rapidly beating heart. I clenched my fist tightly.

In an instant, Park Yul thrust his sword deep into the valley. A thud echoed distinctly amidst the silence. The place where the sword struck was the solid stone floor at the bottom of the valley, not the sticky-looking pitch-black mist.

The black mist infused with the monster had retreated in a circular shape, avoiding the blade. It looked as if a hole had been punched through.

Wham.

As the black mist surged like a tidal wave, instantly covering Park Yul, a bright blue barrier encircled him. Min Joo-hyuk seemed to have used magic.

My hands trembled with fear. Come to think of it, this was the first time I had directly seen a monster being confronted. Facing such a rapidly unfolding, dangerous situation head-on made my heart churn.

While watching the eerie, writhing black mist as if seeking an opportunity, Song Ha-gyun’s subdued voice pierced my ears.

“It’s not Defense magic.”

“Huh? Then what?”

“…Barrier Magic. Can’t pass through, from inside or outside.”

So they’re different. Barrier Magic seemed to block more definitively.

Wait, then to attack the monster, do we need to dispel that magic? Unlike Defense magic, if Barrier Magic is used, attacks can’t be made from inside either.

From below, Park Yul’s voice was heard.

“Ju-hyeok-ah, release the Barrier Magic. Raen, take another step back.”

“It’s uncertain whether existing Defense magic can block a monster in this form.”

“It’s fine. We need to clash at least once to get a feel for it.”

“…Understood. I’ll try it first.”

The bright barrier surrounding Park Yul grew slightly hazy. The mist containing the monster overflowed step by step over the large stones of the valley. Then, suddenly, it surged high, sharply piercing through the defense barrier.

“Kgh.”

Park Yul, with the monster wrapped around his neck, was flung far away. Dust rose from the ground. Park Yul still hadn’t let go of his sword.

It happened in an instant. I felt the body of Song Ha-gyun, whom I was holding, stiffen rigidly. Then, with a whoosh of wind, we were suddenly in front of Park Yul. Song Ha-gyun seemed to have used Teleport.

Meanwhile, Raen used Attack magic on the monster, and Min Joo-hyuk used capture magic on the separated monster, pressing it down onto the distant ground.

Park Yul remained seated, slightly bowing his head, with one hand covering his neck. His fine blond hair swayed downward.

Hurriedly approaching and kneeling beside him, I placed my hand on the nape of Park Yul’s neck. A small, labored sound of breathing, as if struggling to steady his breath, was faintly audible. My own heart raced as if suffocating too.

The light that had enveloped Park Yul’s neck flowed into me.

“Yul hyung, are you okay?”

His head was still bowed, so I couldn’t see his expression. I knew it was dangerous, but seeing such a situation unfold before my eyes made my heart drop.

Soon, Park Yul quickly lifted his head. His gaze, directed at me, scanning me thoroughly, seemed urgently checking my condition.

Could it be because he confirmed last time that I could carry over injuries? Now isn’t the time to worry about me. Park Yul was the one just attacked.

After confirming I was okay, Park Yul soon softened his expression and spoke.

“You were surprised. It’s okay, Yi-han-ah.”

Park Yul smiled brightly, closing his eyes as if to reassure me. It was the same expression I always saw.

I noticed a bead of sweat trickling down the nape of Park Yul’s neck. For some reason, my heart felt heavily sunken. I’m not sure what this feeling is.

Park Yul placed his hand on my head, lightly ruffling my hair. Then, as if nothing was wrong, he rose from his spot. His breathing had already stabilized.

Park Yul looked toward the black mist in the distant valley and spoke.

“Hmm, there’s no Monster Core here.”

It was a calm voice. As soon as Park Yul finished speaking, everyone quickly turned their heads toward the monster bound by capture magic.